Harpoon Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

 

We are a three-piece (guitar, bass, & vocals) with a drum machine.

 

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album?

 

That is in the ear of the beholder, I guess.  We did try to not make another typical grind record, which is how most people tended to describe our first release.  We tried to bring in some melodies this time around, as well as some drone aspects.  Check it out and tell us how you would describe it.  Everyone comes from their own set of experiences, so what might sound one way to one person, could be totally different for another.   

 

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores?

 

Being a part of 7000 Dying Rats for about a decade and a half made me grow very accustomed to writing some really silly lyrics, when there were lyrics at all (the first two records have almost no lyrics whatsoever…just guttural noise).  With Harpoon, I suppose I wanted to try some new things, but I didn’t want to lose that humorous component.  I still think some of the lyrics are funny, but perhaps they are not so “wink wink” funny now.  Maybe they are actually only funny to me.  Dunno.  A lot of the time I choose words for sound rather than meaning.  As far as the subject matter on the new record, much of it has to do with the lies we tell ourselves to get through the day. Sometimes it can be difficult to truly be honest with oneself. 

 

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band’s name?

 

Originally Harpoon was a two-piece band I had with a friend of mine, Dave Melkonian.  I played bass, and he played drums.  No lyrics or vocals.  It was kind of like a cross between Godheadsilo and Ruins.  We only wrote a couple of songs, but when that ended I still wanted to use the name.  Dean was cool with it.  I just think it is a funny word. 

 

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

 

You would have to ask someone that has seen us.  I think it is really hard to be objective about something like that. I know that I am tired when we are done so apparently I am doing quite a bit of moving around and yelling.  As for Dean and DJ, I can usually hear their instruments OK, unless the sound guy sucks ass.  Other than that I am clueless.

 

6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

 

For sure.  We are planning to hit the West Coast (and all points in between) this summer.  We’ve done the east coast a few times now, so we kind of feel compelled to go west.   

 

7. Currently you are singed to Seventh Rule Recordings, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support that they have given you so far?

 

I’ve known Scott (owner of Seventh Rule) for a while.  We both lived in Chicago for a number of years and would always run  in to each other at a lot of shows.  He’s a great guy; very supportive.  This record is definitely a departure from our first record (Double Gnarly/Triple Suicide), but he is someone who puts little stock into prevailing trends and what most Metal magazines think are cool at the moment.  He likes to take chances and that’s why we wanted to work with him.    

 

8. On a worldwide level, how has your music been received by underground music fans?

 

It’s hard to tell.  There are a heck of a lot of people out there who can’t get past the drum machine thing.  It doesn’t sound metal enough to them…whatever the hell that means.  Personally, I could give a crap.  We chose to use a drum machine for a reason.  We like the way it sounds.  I think there has been an incredible amount of quality heavy music made without an actual drummer: Big Black, Godflesh, the first Jesus Lizard record.  Look at Kraftwerk.  They made a shitload of really interesting music without some guy pounding on drums.  I suppose there will always be orthodox metal fans unwilling to listen to anything remotely different than what they are totally comfortable with and that’s fine, I guess.  I suppose those are not the kind of people we are writing records for anyway.

 

On the other hand there have been quite few people who have responded very positively.  We have received messages from quite a few places hither and thither which is really quite amazing considering the limited amount of touring we have done.

 

9. Are there any side projects besides this band or is this a full-time lineup?

 

Dean does an ambient solo thing called Wastelanders.  DJ was doing a rock thing called Needle Age with some of the guys from Sweet Cobra and Pelican, but that is in kind of a semi-permanent holding pattern.  I play in a band called Eunuchs with a bunch of the guys from Hewhocorrupts. 

 

10. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

 

I suppose we want to continue to explore new ideas.  We made a very conscious decision this time to not make another standard grind record.  In fact, I think one would be hard-pressed to find many “grind” parts on the new record at all.  I feel like a lot metal bands get really focused on sounding like one specific genre and then they are totally trapped.  They become unable to make interesting choices for fear of alienating their “fans.”  Most of the stuff I hear nowadays sounds like the same record being made over and over.  I love a lot of metal, but I still really respect the whole “fuck what everyone else thinks is cool” attitude.  “To thine own self be true” and all that.     

 

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

 

How does the saying go?  There are only two kinds of music…good and bad.  I like a wide variety of stuff.  I grew up a serious metal head.  Love all the classic stuff: Iron Maiden, Dio, Motorhead.  Then I discovered hardcore.  I must have owned about five different copies of the Cro Mags - Age of Quarrel because I played it so much.  Then I really fell in love with all the Amphetamine Reptile bands in the 90s like Hammerhead, Cows, & the God Bullies. About the same time, King Coffey from the Butthole Surfers had a really great label called Trance Syndicate that put out some really awesome bands like Cherubs & Bedhead.  I love pretty much everything that Nick Cave has done.  For the past 6 months or so, I’ve been listening to a lot of early 90s shoegaze stuff: Cocteau Twins, Lush, My Bloody Valentine.  Andy Nelson (who engineered our record) turned me on to Scott Walker who I think is pretty interesting.  The last Walker Brothers record is cool (at least the stuff that Scott Walker wrote).  I really like the new Atlas Moth.  I think Stavros wrote some great vocal melodies for it.  Rob Crow rules.  I could go on and on.

 

12. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

 

I like reading, mostly history.  I am an insane Detroit Tigers fan (I grew up in Detroit).  I'm also a big time Scrabble nut.  I am basically a nerd. 

 

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

 

Naw.  Just, thanks for listening.

https://www.facebook.com/harpoonchicago

Sins7Sins/Perversions_Ltd/Massacre Records/2010 CD Review

   Sins7SinS  are  a  band  from  The  Netherlands  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  form  of  gothic  metal  with  a  modern  metal  edge,  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2010  album  "Perversions_Ltd"  which  was  released  by  Massacre  Records.

Drums  range  from  slow,  mid paced,  to  fast  drumming  with  no  blast  beats,  while  the  keyboards  are  very  symphonic  and  gothic  sounding  with  an  industrial  edge  mixed  in  with  an  occasional  violin,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  which  follows  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  with  some  bass  leads.

Rhythm  guitars  are  slow,  mid paced  to  fast  gothic  metal  riffs  that  have  a  good  amount  of  modern  metal  influences,   while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  distorted  sounding  guitar  leads,  as  for  the  classical  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  bring  a  very  tragic  sound  to  the  .

Vocals  are  mostly  clean  singing  female  vocals  mixed  in  with  some  deep  growls  that  have  a  black  metal  feel  to  them,  while  the  lyrics  cover  perversion,  commuting  sins,  anti  Christianity  and  other  dark  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  powerful  and  professional  sound  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sounding  heavy.

In  my  opinion  Sin7SinS  are  a  very  good  gothic  metal  band  that  should  appeal  to  all  fans  of  this  genre.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "7even  Stiches"  "Dead  World"  "Between  Broken  Dreams"  and  "Taste  Of  Twilight".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Funerus/Reduced To Sludge/Ibex Moon Records/2011 CD Review

 

   Funerus  are  a  band  from  Pennsylvania  that  consists  of  many  underground  legends  that  plays  a  very  brutal  form  of  death/doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Reduced  To  Sludge"  which  was  released  by  Ibex  Moon  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid paced  drumming  with  some  fast  playing  and  blast  beats  being  used  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  sound  very  powerful.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  the  most  brutal  elements  of  death  and  doom  metal  together  with  some  dark  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  in  at  times,  and  there  are  little  to  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording.

  Vocals  are  all  deep  death/doom  metal  growls,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  gory  themes,  as  for the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  heavy  and  brutal  sound  that  goes  back  to  the  early  90's  doom/death  metal  sound.

  In  my  opinion  Funerus  are  a  very  good  old  school  sounding  death/doom  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Behind  The  Door'  "Leatherface"  "Death  Of  A  God"  and  "Time  Of  Death".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

 

Nile Interview

 

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days? 

Pete:  Well,  Karl and the guys are very busy writing new material for their upcoming record.  I've heard some demo stuff and it is killer!  Karl asked me to do a guest vocal on one of the tracks which I am super excited about.  It's business as usual for Nile.  Hard work, getting better and better, and the love of all things metal!  I always look forward to when George comes to town to start rehearsing the new material so I can learn something.    But yeah, the guys can't wait to unleash the new record on the public and get back on the road. 

 

2. Recently your 1994 Demo was re-issued, when i listened to the recording it sounded completely different than the stuff you are releasing nowadays, what was the decision behind going into the more brutal direction that you play these days?

Pete: It should sound different.  Hopefully if a band is moving in an upward direction which is the plan of all bands I believe, then each proceeding record should sound different, while still retaining the feel and identity of the band.   It's about growth in ones abilities on the instrument, inspiration coming in various forms and of course to repeat the line from the first question......the love of all thing metal!    Up until I left Nile in 2000, Karl, Chief, Dalls and I  just wanted to keep pushing forward, to push our own boundries.  There is something sacred about striving for brutality.  Done right, it can set the world on fire!

 

3. I noticed that even back on the demo you pretty much covered the same themes only more evolved these days< how did fans react to those kind of lyrics these days?

Pete: You'll have fans that listen to and know every word written in a song, then you'll have the fans who listen more to the music and the lyrics are secondary.  There is a bottomless well of information about ancient Egypt.  Karl has taken that and used it to his advantage to create something unique.  He has a knack of telling very interesting stories and putting them to very interesting music.  I think Nile fans dig deep into the lyrics and know the stories being told and that just adds to the brutality of the music. 

 

4. On a more modern level, when can we expect a new full length and what direction do you see the music heading into?

Pete:  You can expect a new Nile disc to hit the streets in the spring of 2012.  I've heard some of the demo material and of course Nile is not going to stray too far outside the box, but it is a definite growth without sounding like a different band. 

 

5. Out of all of the shows that the band has played so far which one did you enjoy the most?

Pete:  To be honest with you, and I can't speak for the other guys, I loved every show that I played with Nile.  It didn't matter to me if there were 50 people there or 5000.  Being a musician performing on stage is another world that words really can't describe.  I guess the highlight for me personally was playing The Dynamo Festival in Holland back in 99 with Nile in front of thousands of people.  I'll always have that. 

 

6. What where some of your musical influences during the beginning stages of the band?

Pete: I was into jazz/rock in the 80's even when I was playing metal with Karl back then.  It was Karl who turned me on to bands like Bathory, Slayer, Celtic Frost, Candlemass in the late 80's early 90's.  Morbid Angel was a huge influence back then.  Karl and I went to hang out with them at their house inCharlotte, NC where the whole band lived and rehearsed.  This was pre- Pete Sandoval era.  About 1989 I think. 

 

7. How have your fans worldwide react to the current demo re-issue?

Pete:  So far there has been a very positive reaction to the release.  For one thing not too many people have heard it.  In 1994 we only had like 250 cassettes made to sell and give out at local shows.  We didn't make anymore because we were on a roll and were working feverishly on material for Festivals of Atonement which we released in 1995.   I think all Nile fans want to hear what it's all about because they love Nile and they are curious as to what the band sounded like back then.   

 

8. What is going on with the solo project these days?

Pete: Karl is always logging ideas to use on his solo records and he has some interesting things happening, but he has been neck deep in the writing mode with new Nile material.  Dallas is working on a solo project called Narcotic Wasteland in which he is going to play every instrument and cover the vocal duties.  Chief has his new band called Temple of Thieves with Flo Mounier on drums and John Ehlers on guitar who was by the way in the very early stage of Nile.  He left before the band moved forward.  I am playing in a band called Psycho Spoon which people are touting "Dirty Rock".  Karl is actually going to produce our cd.  I am also writing a book about my 20 years playing music with Karl and my time in Nile.   I kept a list of every show we played and am going to try and recount them in the book.  So we'll see how good my memory is.  It should have some interesting stories in it. 

 

 

9. I know the band is more famous for the Egyptian lyrics but there your take inspiration from other forms of mythology and how do these topics effect the music?

Pete: Like I said earlier, there is so much information and stories about Egypt you could never run out of things to write about.  It's like this topic was tailor made for brutal music. 

 

10. What are some bands or musical styles that you are listening to nowadays?

Pete:  I recently discovered the band Gojira.  I love these guys!  Also I listen to Opeth, Kings X, Porcupine Tree, and some old jazz stuff. 

 

11. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

Pete: I like writing so working on my book is enjoyable.  I like to read biographies.....I learn a lot from reading about how people who I think are successful, lived their lives.  I love going to Hockey games.  And believe it or not I like to fix things.  I'll take apart a dishwasher or a stove in a minute, haha.  I Have always been a fan of carpentry also.  I built the monitors and PA cabinets for the first band Karl and I formed back in the 80's. 

 

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Pete:  Thanks very much for the interview.  This musical life has been a very interesting journey so far and I can't wait to see what's around the next bend. 

https://www.facebook.com/nilecatacombs 

Hull/Beyond The Lightless Sky/The End Records/2011 CD Review

 Hull  are  a  band  from  New  York  that  had  their  previous  album  reviewed  as  well  as  being  interviewed  by  this  zine  with  a  music  style  on  this  recording  that  combines  sludge/doom  metal  with  post  rock  and  hardcore  as  well  as  a  slight  black  metal  edge  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Beyond  The  Lightless  Sky"  which  was  released  by  The  End  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  with  some fast  playing  and    blast  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  tone  with  some  dark  doomy  riffing  that  dominates  throughout  the  recording.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  riffing  that  combines  sludge/doom  metal  with  post  rock  and  hardcore  as  well  as  a  slight  black  metal  and  crustcore  influence  in  the  faster  riffing  mixed  in  with  some  psychedelic  style  guitar  disrotion  effects  and  noises,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  psychedelic  sounding  70's  rock/metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  accoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  give  the  music  a  desert/stoner  vibe.

  Vocals  are a  mixture  of  deep  death/doom  metal  growls  and  hardcore  style  yelling  with  the  ocassional  clean  singing  which  is  only  utilized  briefly,  willing  the  lyrics cover  nature  and  Mayan  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  heavy,  powerful  and  professional  sound  to  it  and  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  presented  on  the  recording.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  album  from  Hull  and  it  is  also  alot  more  progressive  and  heavier  than  the  last  one  which  has  shown  that  the  band  has  improved  alot  since  the  last  recording,  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  will  not  be  dissapointed.  RECEMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Earth  From  Water"  "Beyond  The  Lifeless  Sky"  and  "False  Prophet".  RECEMMONDED  BUY.

Noothgrush/Live For Nothing/Southern Lord Recordings/2011 CD Review

  

  Noothgrush  are  a  band  from  Atlanta,  Georgia  that  has  been  around  since  the  90's  that  plays  a  very  heavy  form  of  sludge/doom/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Live  For  Nothing"  which  was  released  by  Southern  Lord  Recordings.

  Drums  are  all  slow  drumming  with  no  fast  playing  or  blast  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  sound  very  heavy  and  powerful.

  Rhythm  guitars  are  all  slow  sludge/doom/death  metal  riffs  that  are  very  heavy  and  brutal  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  variety  but  there  are  some  dark  depressive  melodies  being  used  at  times  while the  lead  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  are  mostly  70's  rock/metal  guitar  solos  and  leads

  Vocals  are  all  deep  doom/death  style  growls,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  depressive  and  perverted  themes,  as  for  the  production  on  this  recording  all  of  the  songs  where  recorded  live  and  have  a  very  strong,  powerful  and  heavy  feeling  to them.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  great  live  album  from  Noothgrush  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band  or  sldge/doom/death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECEMMONDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sith"  "Oil  Removed"  "Starvation"  and  "Hatred  For  The  Spieces".  RECEMMONDED  BUY.

Harpoon/Deception Among Birds/Seventh Rule Recordings/2011 CD Review

 

   Harpoon  are  a  band  from  Chicago,  Illinois  that  plays  a  mixture  of  grindcore,  crust,  hardcore  and  drone/sludge  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Deception  Among  Birds"  which  was  released  by  Seventh  Rule  Recordings.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  few  blast  beats  being  used  on  occasion,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  heavy  tone  with  some  drone  style  riffing  being  used  at  times.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mi  paced  to  fast  riffing  that  combine  grindcore,  crust,  hardcore  and  drone/sludge  together  to  create  a  very  original  sound  with  a lot  of  distortion  and  reverb  and  there  are  little  to  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  the  recording.

  Vocals  are  mostly  crust/sludge  style  yells  and  screams  with  some  growls  and  clean  singing  being  used  at  times,  while  the  lyrics  cover  everyday  and  hateful  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  powerful  and  heavy  sound  to  it  and  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Harpoon  are  a  very  good  band  with  a  sound  of  their  own  and  if  you  are  looking  for  something  that  is  original,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Prequel  To  A  Lifetime  Of  Disappointment"  "The  Cut  Of  His  Jib"  and  "Deception  Among  Birds".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.